Emergency workers clear the rubble at the site of an Israeli strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Photo: AP
Israel is bombing targets across many parts of Lebanon, striking senior militants in Beirut and apparently hiding bombs in pagers and walkie-talkies. Hezbollah is firing rockets and drones deep into northern Israel, setting buildings and cars alight. But no one is calling it a war – not yet.
Israeli officials say they are not seeking war with Hezbollah and that it can be avoided if the militant group halts its attacks and backs away from the border. Hezbollah also says it doesn’t want a war but is prepared for one – and that it will keep up the strikes on Israel that it began in the wake of ally Hamas’s October 7 attack until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
